Mailo’s Return Will Beef Up Line

With Carson Palmer getting sacked on a handful of plays Friday, the last day of two-a-day practices at USC training camp, the offensive line spent extra time working on blitz protection.

“We were picking them up, but there were little mental errors,” tackle Eric Torres said. “It just takes a little bit of adjustment.”

For the most part, the line’s performance has satisfied Coach Pete Carroll, but he was glad to see Faaesea Mailo, who has missed this week because of a knee injury, up and running. The senior guard is expected to resume practicing next week.

“The offensive line is real thin,” Carroll said. “If Faaesea can come back, that’s really a boost.”

In Mailo’s absence, Norm Katnik has assumed the role of utility lineman, moving from tackle to guard. He is also the backup center, which makes for a steep learning curve.

“All of the schemes we do from tackle to guard, they’re not much different,” the sophomore said. “But when you talk about center, put that into the mix, it makes things tougher.”

The center acts as the quarterback of the offensive line, reading defensive shifts and calling audibles in the blocking. Katnik has conferred with starting center Lenny Vandermade, talking about adjustments, comparing notes on calls that were made on the field. He must concentrate to keep it all in line.

“In the long run, it helps me,” he said. “But every once in a while, I might be playing center and thinking like a guard.”

With camp ending today, Carroll released a tentative two-deep roster that includes a few question marks.

At the hotly contested middle linebacker spot, Mike Pollard is listed as the starter, though Lee Webb and Aaron Graham still have a shot at moving up before the Sept. 1 opener against San Jose State.

Along the line, defensive end Kenechi Udeze is listed above freshman Shaun Cody, though Cody will get playing time.

Matt Grootegoed and Frank Strong are the outside linebackers, despite Grootegoed’s nursing of an injury, and Antuan Simmons is at free safety. Kevin Arbet and Darrell Rideaux, though listed as second-team cornerbacks, could assume significant roles.

On offense, Torres and Jacob Rogers are the tackles and Katnik is listed at left guard, pending Mailo’s return. Sultan McCullough and Malaefou MacKenzie are co-starters at tailback, but MacKenzie has been out because of a knee injury and is not expected back until next week. That makes the Trojans thin in the backfield.

Carroll said the backup quarterback position is still a toss-up between Matt Cassel and freshman Matt Leinart.

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The Trojans will be in the Coliseum today, working in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts. They will run through pregame procedures, dressing in the locker room, warming up on the field, getting comfortable with their routine before working on game situations.

The practice is closed to the public.